Rivers crisis can truncate democracy – Abubakar

Former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar has warned that the political crisis in Rivers State posses a threat to survival of the nation’s democracy.

He also warned that our fledging democracy may be truncated if politicians in the state and the country fail to put their house in order and avoid overheating the polity.
Abubakar gave the warnings on Thursday during an interview with members of the Correspondent Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Niger state chapter in his residence in Minna.

Describing the political crisis in Rivers state as sad and unfortunate, the former military leader counselled politicians in the state to resolve the disagreement in the interest of democracy.

“I hope those involved would take note of what democracy is and check themselves. What has happened in Rivers State is very sad. I hope that the politicians will try to put a break and reflect on what they are doing in order not to truncate democracy”.

Abubakar urged politicians to stop taking democracy for granted adding that there is a limit to what freedom is all about in democracy.

“In democracy, there is a limit to what freedom is all about. There is freedom of speech, freedom of association and what have you but this stops when you start infringing on others freedom,” he counselled.

The Peace Ambassador who has brokered peace in many African warring countries prayed for peace in the country as he maintained that no nation can exist without peace.

“Having been involved in peace process around the world on behalf of the African Union (AU), I always advocate for peace in our nation because I’ve seen the devastation of unrest in other countries. I pray the tidings of Ramandan would abide with all of us,” he stated.

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